July 31, 2009

(Courtesy Pacific University Sports Information)

FOREST GROVE, Ore. - Pacific University took the first step in the construction of its new football program Friday, announcing the hiring of Keith Buckley as the Boxers' head coach in a press conference at the Multnomah Athletic Club.

Buckley arrives at Pacific after four seasons as part of the staff at UC Davis, including the last two years as the assistant head coach. The hiring comes two months after Pacific's Board of Trustees voted in favor of addition of the program to the University's current offering of 20 intercollegiate athletics programs. The Boxers are scheduled to take the field for a full varsity schedule in the fall of 2010.

"This is a coach's dream," Buckley said of the opportunity. "There are few situations where you have the chance to build a program from the ground up, develop young talent and have a chance to put Pacific on the football map. I am excited for this opportunity, not only for me professionally but for my family."

Buckley's selection ends an exhaustive national search over the last month that saw over 125 individuals apply for the position.

"As the interview process went on, it became obvious that Keith would be a great fit for Pacific University," said Pacific Director of Athletics Ken Schumann. "I am extremely pleased that we have attracted a seasoned Division I coach who not only has demonstrated success on the field, but who has a great understanding of the importance of academics with his work at both UC Davis and Stanford."

Buckley arrives at Pacific after a four-year stint at UC Davis, where he served as assistant head coach and coordinated recruiting efforts for the Aggies' NCAA Division I-FCS program in addition to coaching the safeties. Prior to being promoted, Buckley spent three seasons as the Aggies' defensive backs coach.

During his time at his alma mater, Buckley played an instrumental role in the team's transition from Division II to Division I under Head Coach Bob Biggs. The Aggies succeeded in extending their string of 37 consecutive winning seasons in addition to pulling off an upset of Stanford in their third season of transition to Division I. Buckley was also the primary position coach for UC Davis' first Division I All-American, free safety J.J. Barsi (2006).

In addition to his coaching duties, Buckley created and coordinated the Aggies' annual high school football skills camp and worked as a lecturer in the physical education program, teaching courses in elementary physical education, sport in society and activity courses.

Buckley now faces the challenge of building the Pacific program from the ground up in a region rich with established programs. It is a challenge that he not only recognizes, but is prepared to tackle it head-on.

"The toughest challenge will be building a roster and being ready for the 2010 season," Buckley said. "There are plenty of football players out there, though, with the talent and the intelligence to succeed at Pacific in both football and in the classroom.

"We need to do a good job in letting those players on the west coast know that Pacific is now an option and that they have a chance to be part of success from the very start."

A 1996 graduate of UC Davis with degrees in rhetoric and communications and English, Buckley played four seasons for the Aggies before transitioning to the sidelines as a volunteer assist and then a defensive backs coach. He made his first move to the Northwest in 1999, coaching defensive backs and outside linebackers for two seasons at Idaho while earning a master's degree in physical education.

After a one-year stint as a defensive backs coach at Humboldt State in Arcata, Calif., Buckley spent three seasons as the associate director of football operations at Stanford under Buddy Teevens and Walt Harris.

A native of Milpitas, Calif., Buckley and his wife, Kara, are the proud parents of two daughters, Kristen and Kaitlyn.

With the addition of football, Pacific University will offer 21 intercollegiate sports at the NCAA Division III level. The team will play as part of the Northwest Conference, which has yielded two NCAA Division III national football champions within its first 10 years of membership. Other football-playing members of the conference include Lewis & Clark College, Linfield College, Menlo College, Pacific Lutheran University, the University of Puget Sound, Whitworth University and Willamette University.